Barbara Craythorn

The nominations are in for the Doncaster CVS Community and Voluntary Sector Awards 2015 and for the third year running, we’re inviting Doncaster Free Press readers to vote for the winner in the Community Group of the Year category.

Winners will be revealed at the AGM and awards event on Friday, December 4 at the Keepmoat Stadium.

And the nominees are:

1) The Aspergers Youth Club

The Aspergers Youth Club (AYC) is a social group that provides a unique and welcoming environment for young people with high functioning autism. Situated in the Intake Children’s Centre, the group helps these young people who otherwise find it difficult to develop their social skills in the standard school environment, and expands their confidence and ability to make friends. The centre provides the young people with arts and crafts, videogames, various board games and even its own mini tuck shop. Regular trips and events see members enjoying themselves on a variety of coach day trips, meals, and even the occasional spot of bowling. The group is managed by Karena Collins and a handful of other inspiring parents and volunteers who help the members of the group and their parents alike.

2) The Neighbourhood Centre

The Neighbourhood Centre is a community initiative, non-profit, not political, non-denominational and open to all. The Neighbourhood Centre engages and helps all sectors of the community. It helps and supports people in whichever way they need. This can range from having a warm place for a tea/coffee and a chat, to signposting and financial planning and assistance. Amongst other things The Neighbouhood Centre provides affordable clothing and household items to community members. Over the last 12 months, the centre has seen an increase in the number of customers from 25 to 40 a day and all staffing is on a voluntary basis with 34 volunteers currently engaged in the group. The centre also offers a job assistance programme where help is given with CV writing, job applications and help to develop skill sets to allow easier access to employment. The Neighbourhood Centre has links with DMBC, St Leger Homes, Doncaster Wellbeing, South Yorkshire Police and the NHS which allow the Centre to effectively signpost community members.

3) Conisbrough and Denaby Ladies Community Group

The Conisbrough and Denaby Ladies Community Group was formed three years ago with the aim of creating a meeting place for local ladies to go out and meet new and old friends in a safe environment, to have fun and to help those in the local community who are less fortunate or who need help to attain certain objectives.During this time the group has raised money - £250 for a local hospice, £100 to help a junior football team but much needed equipment and £500 for

Scotties Little Soldiers, a charity to help the children of fallen soldiers – and has recently presented and defibrillator to the local community centre. All this has been achieved by ladies in what is regarded as an economically

deprived area whilst at the same time enjoying trips to the theatre and other venues such as garden centres or whatever the ladies vote for.

The ladies meet each month to hear speakers on a range of topics including local authors, historians, crafts and beauty with the overall aim of providing both fun and friendship.

4) The Ark Rossington Holmescarr Centre Community Café

The Ark Rossington Holmescarr Centre Community Café offers a fantastic service and is run wholly by volunteers. The café is always open to the community to come along and sample their wares. The range of food and drinks compares to any other café and the opportunity for volunteers to obtain training either in the kitchen or serving the public gives a great service to all involved.

To vote for your winner, email barbara.craythorn@jpress.co.uk

Voting will close on Friday, November 27.

For more information on the Doncaster CVS Community and Voluntary Sector Awards 2015, visit Doncaster CVS